Allison McQueen Pritchett

1935 - 2017

PRITCHETT, Allison McQueen Allison McQueen Pritchett died on Saturday, August 26, in a Birmingham, AL hospital. She was surrounded by her family in love and song. She is survived by her husband, Harry H. Pritchett, Jr. and their three children, Sonny Pritchett, Margaret Jones and her husband Jonathan, and Doug Pritchett and his wife Poppy, along with three grandchildren, Mason Pritchett, Allison Jones and Forrest Pritchett. Allison was born on Valentine's Day, 1935, in Gadsden, Alabama, the only child of Inez Allison and John D. McQueen Jr. She grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, attending Christ Church and Camp McDowell of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Harry and Allison were childhood friends; he was her escort as she was crowned Miss Tuscaloosa High in 1951. She was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority at the University of Alabama, after attending one year at Randolph Macon College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Harry and Allison moved to Alexandria, Virginia in 1961 where Harry attended Virginia Theological Seminary. There, she and Harry began their co-ministries to many parishes across the southeast and New York. She brought her ability to connect with people and build community to St. Luke's Birmingham, St. Thomas Huntsville, the Episcopal Seminary at Sewanee, St. John the Divine New York, and most importantly All Saints' Atlanta. Allison had an uncanny way of knowing people. Whether the dry cleaner, the physical therapists, or the Gulf Station attendants, she knew their stories and they knew hers. She connected with and cared for all those in her daily routines. She also sought ways to help those in desperate need of community. She led the Aquarius Club in Huntsville, Alabama, ministering to mentally challenged people recently incarcerated. She volunteered as a teacher to mentally challenged children in public schools. She was instrumental in the establishment of the All Saints' ministry to the homeless, organizing volunteers and supporting the administrative efforts of The Shelter. Allison also facilitated a class for new clergy spouses at the Virginia Theological Seminary, helping them find ways to support their clergy spouse and connect to the church community in their own right. Connecting with people through care and support defined her. Allison was a smart, honest and hilarious woman. She could find the humor in even the hardest times, often being sweet but naughty. She never took herself too seriously. And yet, she took very seriously the love and care for her family. Harry was her life. Her children and grandchildren brought her great joy. She wanted the best for everyone family, friends and strangers. Allison was truly a "mother" to many. Services will be held at All Saints' Episcopal Church Atlanta at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to All Saints' Episcopal Church.